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“But I became increasingly aware of Sandra’s suffering and weight loss.

“In December 2016 she became acutely ill with pneumonia - probably from mould growing in her flat.

“After a spell in hospital, Sandra came home, but no social workers or members of the mental health team gained her trust to access to her flat - though they did try.

“In December 2017, Sandra didn’t turn up for an appointment at the surgery and I became really concerned.”

Sandra’s home was in worst condition GP has ever seen

Diane said Sandra's floor was two foot deep with plastic water bottles and rubbish - all swimming on a sea of sewage (Image: Diane Walters)

Diane was so worried about her patient that she drove all the way to Royston and eventually managed to persuade Sandra to let her in after a long chat.

She added: “Sandra’s home conditions were the worst I had ever seen. I had been a district nurse in Royston from 1978 to 1984 and had never seen anyone living in such conditions.

“It was freezing cold (you could see your breath), the air was damp and pungent. The floor was two foot deep with plastic water bottles, rubbish, all swimming on a sea of sewage.

“There was not even a light, TV or somewhere she could sleep. She sat in a chair with a torch with only cigarettes for comfort.

“There was no food that could be eaten and Sandra looked mortified, emaciated and frail.

“Sandra told me no one has stepped into her flat for years. Her front door lock was broken and she had been afraid to leave the flat unlocked, which was why she had no food. She could have starved or frozen to death within days.

“When I took a moment to think about her sitting alone and cold, my eyes would fill with tears.”

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Diane said it was “absolutely amazing” to see the change on Sandra’s face – adding that she looked and felt like a totally different woman.

She added: “Sandra now laughs, is getting her hair and nails done and we have found her some new false teeth.

“She is so grateful but remains fragile and vulnerable. Donations have flooded into the surgery for her, and from surgery staff as well. The work by everyone continued to make her flat habitable and homely.

“Sandra is known as the bird lady, as she’d sit outside her flat with a sandwich. She’d have one half, but feed the other half to the birds.

“A local pet shop gifted Sandra two beautiful canaries.

“I want to thank all the kind people and companies in Royston, who donated their time and energy into saving a woman who had lost her way and could not ask for help.”